The next morning, Qin Tian was woken up by his mother.
After washing his face and brushing his teeth, he went to the main hall to have breakfast with his mother.
The breakfast today was, for the first time in a while, not bought from outside; it was made by Tang Xiuxia herself.
Millet porridge cooked with pumpkin, served with her homemade meat buns, thin-skinned and filling, along with some appetizing pickled vegetables.
This kind of breakfast suited Qin Tian's appetite. He held a bun in his left hand, taking three bites to finish one, and occasionally took a bite of pickles with a sip of porridge.
"Mom, I'm leaving after I eat. The car is still parked in the residential area near Nuannuan's house. I'll just go pick her up and head back to school."
Qin Tian said, his mouth full of bun, his words a little slurred.
"Mm!"
Tang Xiuxia nodded in agreement.
"You promised, okay? Don't be so busy with work anymore."
Qin Tian looked at his mother seriously, reminding her again.
"Got it, got it, you're nagging again. Don't worry, I already have a candidate for store manager, and we're in negotiations. Once it's settled, I'll be a hands-off owner."
Tang Xiuxia agreed with a hint of impatience.
"Do you think I, a grown man, like to nag!"
Qin Tian rolled his eyes exasperatedly.
"A grown man? You?"
Tang Xiuxia glanced at him with disdain and said plainly, "You're still a long way from being the boss. This time it was Nuannuan and your Aunt Su who put in a good word, and also because of your youth-preserving ointment. Your mom is in a good mood, otherwise, you wouldn't dream of controlling me."
"Yes, yes, you're always the boss in this family."
Qin Tian said with a chuckle.
He knew his mother's tendency to act tough verbally and was happy to play along.
"That's right. No matter how capable you are, you're still flesh from me, raised with my own sweat and tears."
"Mom, please don't talk nonsense. I never ate that stuff you're talking about."
"Pfft, you can't be sure. When I was in my stomach..."
"Stop, stop!"
Qin Tian interrupted his mother with a dark expression, his face full of speechlessness. "Mom, we're eating, why do you have to talk about this?"
Tang Xiuxia gave him a pair of eye rolls and didn't continue the appetite-ruining topic.
After breakfast, Qin Tian packed his things, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and prepared to head to Xia Nuannuan's residential area.
His mother saw him off, standing at the doorway with her arms crossed, her expression stern as she instructed, "Take good care of my daughter-in-law. When you come back next time, if she gets any darker or thinner, your dog head won't be safe!"
"Mom, am I still your precious son?"
Qin Tian put on a wronged yet amused expression.
"Of course, but you're only second now. My daughter-in-law is the apple of my eye."
Tang Xiuxia said righteously.
"Sigh, I'm leaving!"
Qin Tian sighed and said, "You take care of yourself too. If anything comes up, give me a call, I can come back anytime."
"Got it, hurry up and go!"
Tang Xiuxia waved her hand.
Qin Tian didn't say anything more and headed towards Xia Nuannuan's residential area.
After walking a short distance, he looked back at his mother who was still standing there and shouted, "Mom, call me more often when you have time."
"I'm too lazy to call. You're too busy. Don't worry about home, just focus on your own matters."
Tang Xiuxia replied indifferently.
"Then you should relax more, don't make me worry!"
"Got it, you're so naggy!"
"I learned it from you. You used to nag me a lot when I was little."
"Bullshit!"
Tang Xiuxia burst into loud laughter and scolded.
Qin Tian grinned, said no more, turned, and strode away.
Only after he had completely disappeared from sight did Tang Xiuxia softly murmur to herself with a hint of loss.
"If nothing comes up, they'll have to wait until winter break to come back, right? Over three months!"
...
...
After picking up Xia Nuannuan, the two drove back to Jiangcheng via the national highway.
The journey took over two hours. By the time they arrived at the school, the morning classes were almost over.
Qin Tian directly sent Xia Nuannuan to the girls' dormitory building and helped her carry out her luggage.
Since some of the opened gifts were brought along, her luggage was considerably more than when they had left.
"Why don't... I help you take it up?"
Qin Tian offered.
"No, boys are not allowed up now. You can guard it here for me, and I'll just carry it up a few more times."
Xia Nuannuan quickly refused.
"It's not time for classes yet. It should be fine. I'll just tell the dorm supervisor."
"Really, it's fine. There are also students in other classes who don't have morning classes, or some skip class. Many girls sleep in the dorms. If someone just woke up and saw you, wouldn't they be scared to death?"
"This... alright!"
Qin Tian agreed reluctantly.
"Then I'll leave the suitcase here for now, and I'll take these up first."
Xia Nuannuan said, first putting on her backpack, then picking up three large bags.
"How about waiting for Shen Siqi and the others to finish class and help you?"
Qin Tian suggested again, seeing how strenuous it was for her.
"No need, I can manage. I'm going up now!"
Xia Nuannuan smiled sweetly and turned to enter the dormitory building.
The dorm supervisor in the duty room saw this through the window and came out.
"You guys are... arriving today?"
"Yes, we took a day off."
Xia Nuannuan replied with a slightly embarrassed smile.
"What's going on? You brought so much luggage again?"
Sister Chen asked in surprise.
"Sister Chen, it's her birthday, so the luggage is a bit more."
Qin Tian chimed in.
"Birthday?"
Sister Chen was stunned, not quite understanding the connection between a birthday and luggage.
Especially so much more.
"Sister Chen, can I go up with her?"
Qin Tian asked with a hearty, serious smile, "I promise to come down immediately and won't look around."
"No, I told you last time, only registration day was an exception. You definitely can't go up now."
Sister Chen refused without hesitation.
"Brother, it's okay."
Xia Nuannuan turned and smiled to comfort him.
"Forget it, girl, I'll help you. I'll take you upstairs."
Sister Chen smiled helplessly.
"Ah? Auntie, no, no, I'll be right back down."
Xia Nuannuan eagerly and politely refused.
"Alright, stop talking nonsense and give them to me!"
Sister Chen directly took the two large bags from her and then walked to the dormitory door to pull the suitcase.
This middle-aged woman was not only good at arguing but also very strong.
"Sister Chen, thank you. I'll bring you some good food next time."
Qin Tian said gratefully.
"No need. I'm not busy anyway. Who told you I like you young couple!"
Sister Chen laughed heartily and then said to Xia Nuannuan, "Girl, let's go upstairs."
"Mm, thank you, Sister Chen, I'm really sorry."
"Girl, why are you calling me sister too? Learning from your boyfriend to be sweet-mouthed?"
"No, I just think you're so kind, it makes me feel more connected."
"Haha... I like hearing that!"
Watching the two of them go upstairs chatting and laughing, Qin Tian, who was standing outside the dormitory door, also smiled happily. He turned and drove away.